Hebrews 1

Hebrews 1New International Version (NIV)

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has set you above your companionsby anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,and the heavens are the work of your hands.11 They will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment.12 You will roll them up like a robe;like a garment they will be changed.But you remain the same,and your years will never end.”[f]

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right handuntil I make your enemiesa footstool for your feet”[g]?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Psalm 122

Psalm 122New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”2 Our feet are standingin your gates, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a citythat is closely compacted together.4 That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord—to praise the name of the Lordaccording to the statute given to Israel.5 There stand the thrones for judgment,the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:“May those who love you be secure.7 May there be peace within your wallsand security within your citadels.”8 For the sake of my family and friends,I will say, “Peace be within you.”9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,I will seek your prosperity.

Job 6-8

Job 6-8New International Version (NIV)

Job

6 Then Job replied:

2 “If only my anguish could be weighedand all my misery be placed on the scales!3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been impetuous.4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,my spirit drinks in their poison;God’s terrors are marshaled against me.5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass,or an ox bellow when it has fodder?6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow[a]?7 I refuse to touch it;such food makes me ill.

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,that God would grant what I hope for,9 that God would be willing to crush me,to let loose his hand and cut off my life!10 Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain—that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?What prospects, that I should be patient?12 Do I have the strength of stone?Is my flesh bronze?13 Do I have any power to help myself,now that success has been driven from me?

14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friendforsakes the fear of the Almighty.15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,as the streams that overflow16 when darkened by thawing iceand swollen with melting snow,17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,and in the heat vanish from their channels.18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;they go off into the wasteland and perish.19 The caravans of Tema look for water,the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;they arrive there, only to be disappointed.21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;you see something dreadful and are afraid.22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,pay a ransom for me from your wealth,23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet;show me where I have been wrong.25 How painful are honest words!But what do your arguments prove?26 Do you mean to correct what I say,and treat my desperate words as wind?27 You would even cast lots for the fatherlessand barter away your friend.

28 “But now be so kind as to look at me.Would I lie to your face?29 Relent, do not be unjust;reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.[b]30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?Can my mouth not discern malice?

7 “Do not mortals have hard service on earth?Are not their days like those of hired laborers?2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows,or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,3 so I have been allotted months of futility,and nights of misery have been assigned to me.4 When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.5 My body is clothed with worms and scabs,my skin is broken and festering.

6 “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,and they come to an end without hope.7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;my eyes will never see happiness again.8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer;you will look for me, but I will be no more.9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone,so one who goes down to the grave does not return.10 He will never come to his house again;his place will know him no more.

11 “Therefore I will not keep silent;I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.12 Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep,that you put me under guard?13 When I think my bed will comfort meand my couch will ease my complaint,14 even then you frighten me with dreamsand terrify me with visions,15 so that I prefer strangling and death,rather than this body of mine.16 I despise my life; I would not live forever.Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

17 “What is mankind that you make so much of them,that you give them so much attention,18 that you examine them every morningand test them every moment?19 Will you never look away from me,or let me alone even for an instant?20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,you who see everything we do?Why have you made me your target?Have I become a burden to you?[c]21 Why do you not pardon my offensesand forgive my sins?For I will soon lie down in the dust;you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Bildad

8 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

2 “How long will you say such things?Your words are a blustering wind.3 Does God pervert justice?Does the Almighty pervert what is right?4 When your children sinned against him,he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.5 But if you will seek God earnestlyand plead with the Almighty,6 if you are pure and upright,even now he will rouse himself on your behalfand restore you to your prosperous state.7 Your beginnings will seem humble,so prosperous will your future be.

8 “Ask the former generationand find out what their ancestors learned,9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,and our days on earth are but a shadow.10 Will they not instruct you and tell you?Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?Can reeds thrive without water?12 While still growing and uncut,they wither more quickly than grass.13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God;so perishes the hope of the godless.14 What they trust in is fragile[d];what they rely on is a spider’s web.15 They lean on the web, but it gives way;they cling to it, but it does not hold.16 They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,spreading its shoots over the garden;17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocksand looks for a place among the stones.18 But when it is torn from its spot,that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’19 Surely its life withers away,and[e] from the soil other plants grow.

20 “Surely God does not reject one who is blamelessor strengthen the hands of evildoers.21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughterand your lips with shouts of joy.22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,and the tents of the wicked will be no more.”

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